News

Huw Davies blog: Now is the Time!

26/03/21

Now is the Time. As we move towards publication of a national disability strategy, it is timely to reflect on how things stand within the Supported Employment sector. It is telling that 40 years after the introduction of Supported Employment to the UK, we have still not seen any national funding of a sector that is predominantly funded through local authorities and charitable sources.

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CSJ publishes Disability Commission report: Now is the Time

23/03/21

The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) Disability Commission has published a comprehensive report, Now is the Time, that examines disability policy across education, employment, housing, transport, and access to goods and services. BASE fed views into the report's development. We welcome its recommendations and expect it to influence the development of the National Disability Strategy.

The report has large chapters on education and employment with specific sections devoted to apprenticeships, Supported Interrnships and Supported Employment. The report also contains recommendations around support for employers, Access to Work, Disability Confident, workforce reporting and government procurement.

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Supported Interns able to continue into 2021-22 academic year

22/03/21

Department of Education have confirmed that Supported Interns who were not able to meet the core aim of their internship in the 2020-21 academic year may continue their internship into the 2021-22 academic year. This will also apply to 2019-20 interns who continued into 2020-21 and  have not yet completed their internships.

We've now has confirmation that Access to Work will be extended to cover supported interns who are repeating their course.

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Revised Access to Work forms for Supported Internships

16/03/21

DWP has issued new Access to Work guidance for education providers and supported Employment providers involved in delivering Supported Internships. They have also revised the application form and support plan. Note that these forms are subject to ongoing change as they are refined by DWP.

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New EU Disability Strategy published

04/03/21

Image of strategy and link to download itThe European Union has published its new Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030. The new strategy builds on its predecessor, the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020, and contributes to the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights for which an Action Plan will be adopted by the Commission this week.

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WoodMor Foundation seeks help in supporting employability

15/02/21

BASE member, Matt Wood of Millwood Servicing, has formed the WoodMor Foundation to support disadvantaged people to prepare for employment. The foundation aims to increase the opportunities of employment for disabled, vulnerable or disadvantaged people aged 25 and above. To do this, they will provide an individual with an event, expedition or specialist skills training programme that aims to develop their confidence and employability. 

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Supported Internships AtW funding confirmed for 2020-21

11/02/21

DWP Ministers have agreed to continue Access to Work funding for employability activities delivered through Supported Internships through the 2020/21 academic year. This means that supported interns can continue to receive funded job coaching support for employment-related activities through Access to Work until the end of August 2021.

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BASE submits evidence to National Disability Strategy

10/02/21

BASE has submitted evidence to the Cabinet Office consultation on a National Disability Strategy. The Disability Unit announced the development of a strategy last April and established regional stakeholder networks to support this.

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Update on Supported Internships and Access to Work

29/01/21

We've had communication from the Department for Work and Pensions about the use of Access to Work within Supported Internships. Education providers have been able to claim Access to Work funding for job coaches supporting the employability of learners who are unable to be on placementt due to Covid-19. This funding was agreed to the end of January and theere has been uncertainty as to whether it will continue.

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New DfE guidance for Further Education providers

08/01/21

The Department for Education has published revised guidance for Further Education providers. The guidance sets out what further education and skills providers in England need to know so that students of all ages can benefit from their education and training in full. It explains the actions to take to stay as safe as possible in response to the challenges of coronavirus.

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